Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC)
Children’s Safehouse

Protecting Children. Restoring Hope.
Unica’s Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC), known as the Children’s Safehouse, provides a safe, child-friendly environment for children, teens, and adults with developmental disabilities who may have experienced abuse, neglect, or witnessed a violent crime.

The Forensic Interview Team partners with law enforcement agencies, the District Attorney’s Office, and the New Mexico Children, Youth & Families Department (CYFD) to conduct forensic interviews of children who have witnessed a violent crime or when allegations of abuse have been made. The team also conducts forensic interviews with adults who have a developmental disability and disclose physical or sexual abuse.

The goal of every forensic interview is to gather pertinent information in a neutral, developmentally appropriate, and legally defensible manner—reducing trauma for victims while supporting coordinated investigations and access to care.

For more information, call 505-271-0329.

Our Coordinated Approach

Forensic Interviews

Neutral, fact-finding interviews conducted by trained specialists in a child-friendly setting.

Advocacy & Case Coordination

Support for children and non-offending caregivers, connecting them with services and resources.

Treat First Therapy

Immediate, short-term therapy for children and families with acute needs. Services can begin before a full clinical assessment, helping stabilize families quickly.

Therapy Referrals

Direct connection to trauma-responsive counseling through Unica’s Children’s Services team.

Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) Collaboration

Coordination with partner agencies to ensure safety and ongoing support throughout the investigative and recovery process.

Five children, four girls and one boy, are running toward the camera on a grassy field on a sunny day. The children are smiling and appear to be enjoying themselves. Trees and greenery are visible in the background.
A person sitting on a couch with their hands clasped in the foreground, while another person in a yellow cardigan sits across from them, holding a notepad in a well-lit room.
Three young girls sit together at a table, reading books and looking at the pages. Bookshelves are visible in the background, indicating they are in a library or classroom setting.

Who We Serve

  • Children and youth (under 18) referred by law enforcement or CYFD for forensic interviews or coordinated case support.
  • Non-offending caregivers who receive advocacy and connections to community resources.
  • Adults with developmental disabilities who disclose physical or sexual abuse.

How to Refer?

Referrals are accepted only from law enforcement or CYFD.

Once a referral is received, Safehouse staff coordinate with partner agencies and connect caregivers to advocacy services and support.

For urgent partner calls, contact the Safehouse directly at 505-296-4366.

Location:
8401 Constitution Ave NE

Hours:
Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM
After-hours coordination available through on-call MDT partners.

Partner Agencies

  • Law enforcement and investigative agencies
  • New Mexico Children, Youth & Families Department (CYFD)
  • District Attorney’s Office
  • Medical providers specializing in child abuse exams
  • Prosecutors and victim advocates

Questions?

If you have questions about our Safehouse or need more information about advocacy and trauma-responsive support, call 505-296-4366